vexation

vex·a·tion | \ vek-ˈsā-shən

How to pronounce vexation (audio)

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Definition of vexation

1 : the quality or state of being vexed : irritation

2 : a cause of trouble : affliction

3 : the act of harassing or vexing : troubling

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Examples of vexation in a Sentence

the problems and vexations of everyday life the repeated vexations guaranteed that she wouldn't get any work done

Recent Examples on the Web The girl narrowed her eyes, whether in confusion or vexation, Bev wasn’t sure. — J. Robert Lennon, The New Yorker, "The Loop," 19 Aug. 2019 This leads to her vexation over Edward’s single-minded concern for Elizabeth. — Washington Post, "‘Draugen’ is a picturesque game about delusional thinking," 6 June 2019 But vexation was nearly universal, with more than 100 players recording a score of 75 or higher. — Bill Pennington And Zach Schonbrun, New York Times, "U.S. Open 2018: A First Round Full of Struggles," 15 June 2018 That investigation, led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller, was given wide latitude to explore potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow and has been a constant source of vexation for the president for much of the past year. — Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, "Trump Replies to Barbs in James Comey’s New Book on Twitter," 13 Apr. 2018 In essence, this is the character Eggers introduces us to — the Rupert bear version of Alkhanshali, agreeable to the hilt, whose strongest emotion appears to be mild vexation. — Parul Sehgal, New York Times, "‘The Monk of Mokha’ is Dave Eggers’s Latest PG-13 Story About the American Dream," 23 Jan. 2018 While the smaller California sea lions threaten the extinction of the Willamette Valley's wild winter steelhead runs, the Steller's pose an even greater vexation for sturgeon managers. — Bill Monroe, OregonLive.com, "Two-rod rule will be re-instated for Willamette spring chinook season," 24 Jan. 2018 Mission models have been a mainstay of California elementary education for decades, becoming a source of both nostalgia and vexation to parents. — Deborah Sullivan Brennan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fourth grade mission model project could be history," 15 Sep. 2017 China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Liu Jieyi, hinted at his country’s vexation with North Korea in his Security Council remarks after the vote. — Rick Gladstone, New York Times, "U.N. Security Council Imposes Punishing New Sanctions on North Korea," 5 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vexation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Vexation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vexation. Accessed 19 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for vexation

vexation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of vexation

old-fashioned

: the state of being worried or annoyed : irritation or annoyance

: something that worries or annoys you

See the full definition for vexation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vexation

vex·a·tion | \ vek-ˈsā-shən

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Kids Definition of vexation

1 : the quality or state of being annoyed by small irritations

2 : the act of bringing trouble, distress, or worry to

3 : a cause of trouble or worry

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